Cincinnati Reds 2025 Top Prospects Week 5 in Review
With one of the better farm systems in all of the majors, the Cincinnati Reds have to be thrilled with the early-season performances of some of their top prospects. In a year that the team hopes to leap into playoff contention, the progression of their farm will be key to establishing a long-term core.
Only time will tell when the prospects will get the call to make their major league debut. However, it never hurts to check in and see how they are developing in the minor leagues. With that being said, let's review some of the organization's best performers over the past seven days...
RHP Chase Burns (#1 Reds Prospect per MLB.com)
Widely considered the team's top prospect and the 24th-ranked prospect in Major League Baseball, righty Chase Burns made his Double-A debut over the weekend. The flamethrower settled in nicely, striking out five over four innings, only surrendering one earned run. He walked away with a no-decision, although he lowered his season earned run average from 3.09 to 2.25. The 22-year-old remains on the fast track to the majors after being selected second overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Sal Stewart (84) hits a homer in the eighth inning of a Cactus League game between the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz. Reds won 8-1. © Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
INF Sal Stewart (#3 Reds Prospect)
The former 32nd overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Reds, Sal Stewart has been off to a red-hot start at the plate this season. Adding another six hits over the past week, Stewart's batting average is now .303. Over the past four games, Stewart has five runs batted in and three stolen bases as well. The 21-year-old is healthy and thriving in Double-A so far in 2024, and continues to display strong plate awareness. Without a doubt, MLB's 80th-ranked prospect is right on track for his estimated 2026 arrival.
RHP Chase Petty (#6 Reds Prospect)
After surrendering seven runs (two earned) in his previous outing, Chase Petty pitched an absolute gem this past week. Over six innings of work, Petty only allowed one run and walked two batters. His seven strikeouts were one short of tying his season-high, as it was the best he's looked this season. It marks his second shutout in his last three starts, and he's allowed one run or fewer in the three games. Consistency will be key, as he now looks beyond his seventh start in Triple-A.
OF Hector Rodriguez (#11 Reds Prospect)
Get to know the name Hector Rodriguez, because he is on a tear in Double-A to start 2024. He's riding a 13-game hitting streak, including going 10/16 over his last four games. Over this past week, Rodriguez also added two home runs and four runs batted in to his resume. With a .386 batting average and .992 OPS, there's a legitimate argument that he has been the top bat in the Reds minor league system so far in 2024. At 5'10" and 200lbs, Rodriguez will need to continue to live off of his contact hitting, as he does not have much power. Still just 21 years old, it is hard not to be excited about the versatile outfielder's potential.
RHP Ty Floyd (#17 Reds Prospect)
After dealing with injuries last season, right-handed pitcher Ty Floyd is coming off his best appearance since being drafted in 2023. In four innings of work as the starter, Floyd did not allow a single hit and only allowed one walk. The 23-year-old struck out seven batters, as the lone run scored was not earned. He matched his second-longest outing of the year, as the Reds monitor his workload to keep him healthy. To date, Floyd has flashed strong command in Single A and has only allowed five hits in 13 innings pitched.
Related: Wade Miley's Early Exit from Rehab Start Concerning for Reds

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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
MLB's robot umps are (probably) actually near. Plus: José Ramírez's best season yet?
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NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Cubs at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 5
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CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Heliot Ramos, Giants rally from 5-run deficit to defeat Padres
Heliot Ramos hit a tying two-run double in the seventh then Jung Hoo Lee followed with a sacrifice fly that put San Francisco ahead, and the Giants rallied to beat the San Diego Padres 6-5 on Wednesday night. San Francisco ended a stretch of 16 straight games scoring four or fewer runs. Gavin Sheets hit a two-run triple in the first then singled in two more runs in the fifth for San Diego, which had a pair of 10-inning wins to start the four-game series. Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to start the ninth against Ryan Walker then right fielder Daniel Johnson ran down Luis Arráez's fly to save an extra-base hit. Manny Machado followed with a single and Randy Rodríguez relieved and recorded the final two outs for his first career save. Matt Chapman hit a two-run homer in the sixth off right-hander Nick Pivetta, who struck out five over six innings and was tagged for five runs on six hits. Heliot Ramos #17 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates after hitting a double at Oracle Park on June 4, 2025 in San Francisco. Suzanna Mitchell/SanPivetta gave way to Jason Adam (5-2) after walking Willy Adames to start the seventh then allowing Daniel Johnson's single. After Patrick Bailey struck out, Tyler Fitzgerald singled to load the bases for Ramos. Sean Hjelle (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief for the win in his season debut after being recalled from the minors Tuesday. Sheets' second hit chased Giants lefty Kyle Harrison, who was then checked by an athletic trainer in the dugout after being hit in the pitching elbow with a comebacker. X-rays were negative and Harrison was relieved there's "no damage." He is expected to make at least one more start before Justin Verlander returns from the injured list and rejoins the rotation. The Giants' 16 consecutive games with four or fewer runs ranked as their second longest single-season streak since moving to San Francisco in 1958. They did so in 19 straight games in 1965. RHP Dylan Cease (1-4, 4.66 ERA) pitches the series finale for San Diego opposite Giants LHP Robbie Ray (7-1, 2.43).